Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Social Science (Honours)

Begin your research journey in social science.

This program gives you the opportunity to research an area you’re passionate about. You’ll build your research skills with the support of a Faculty of Arts, Business and Law academic with relevant research interests and expertise in your chosen area of study.

Study location
  • Sippy Downs
Refer to the program footnotes
CRICOS code
058120B
Commence
Semester 1
Program length (full-time)
1 year
Annual tuition fee 2018
A$24,200
Estimated total tuition fee *
A$24,200
Footnotes
  • Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
  • * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
  • Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
Study location QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast Direct application to USC
Minimum selection threshold

GPA requirement

UniSC program code
AR402
Commence
Semester 1
Duration
1 year full time or 2 years part time
Prerequisites
Completion of a Social Science or related undergraduate degree
Recommended prior study
English
Fee type 2018
  • What will I pay?
Total units
96

This program gives you the opportunity to research an area you’re passionate about. You’ll build your research skills with the support of a Faculty of Arts, Business and Law academic with relevant research interests and expertise in your chosen area of study.

Learn to critically review relevant published literature and undertake useful and meaningful research. You are empowered to design and conduct a thesis study to contribute to social science research. Join our research student community and attend the Faculty’s fortnightly research seminar, thesis seminars and discussion groups with other research students.

You develop your presentation skills and deliver at least two lectures on your research progress. At the end of your honours program, continue your research with further postgraduate study or a higher research degree.

Specialisations

Counselling; development studies; geography; human services; Indigenous studies, politics and international relations; social work; sociology; sustainability.

Admission requirements

Students must have completed a Bachelor of Social Science, or a related degree from a recognised higher education institution, with at least eight courses in the area of study of their thesis topic. A good level of achievement in the intended area of study must be demonstrated. These are minimum requirements and do not guarantee entry. Importantly, enrolment is contingent upon the Faculty's capacity to provide appropriate supervision in the intended field of research.

Career opportunities

Depending on the research area selected, academia, government / corporate positions in applied sociology, community and welfare services, policy development, public administration.

Program structure

The Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) structure is usually as follows:

  1. a 48 unit coursework component (consisting of a combination of courses weighted from 12 to 24 units), and
  2. a 48 unit thesis component

Satisfactory participation in the Faculty Honours Seminar is also required.

If completing your honours program part-time over two years, the first year will normally comprise coursework and the second will be dedicated to your thesis.

Coursework component (48 units)

Coursework comprises a mix of:

  • ART411 Research Design: Methodology and Literature Review
  • reading courses based on a program of supervised reading
  • existing courses in the chosen area of study, with additional prescribed reading and assessment
  • dedicated honours courses, or
  • relevant courses through other universities
Thesis component (48 units)

The thesis component consists of a sustained scholarly project developed from the research proposal a student submits with their honours enrolment application.

The nature and topic of the thesis component is determined by the student's interests, the interests of potential supervisors and the availability of appropriate supervision.

The research proposal accompanying the honours enrolment application is normally two to three pages in length. It includes an outline of the research topic, its rationale, and an indication of the research methodology, and should refer to relevant literature in the topic area.

The completed thesis is normally 15,000–25,000 words in length. The required length is determined by the precise nature of the research, in consultation with the supervisor and subject to the approval of the Dean.

Classes of honours

The degree is awarded in one of the three classes:

  • Class I
  • Class IIA
  • Class IIB
  • Class III

The class of honours awarded may not be more than one grade higher than the grade for the thesis. For example, if you receive a ‘Credit’ grade for your thesis, you may not be awarded the honours degree at a higher level than Class IIA, regardless of the average mark.

Enrolment and fees
  • In any semester, standard full-time enrolment comprises 0.500 EFTSL **
  • In any semester, standard part-time enrolment comprises 0.250 EFTSL **
  • It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
  • The census date for withdrawal without financial penalty or academic penalty is the Semester 1 or 2 census date
  • Commonwealth supported students pay student contributions
  • Students who are not Commonwealth-supported pay full tuition fees

** EFTSL - Equivalent Full-Time Student Load. One year of full-time study equates to 1.000 EFTSL

Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.

Total units: 96

Program requirements and notes

Program requirements and notes
Faculty Honours Seminar Program

The University’s Honours Seminar Program helps build an honours research culture within USC, and provides opportunities for honours students from across the University to meet. At least one oral presentation at the Faculty’s honours seminars is a requirement of the Bachelor of Social Science (Honours).

Examination

All coursework is normally graded internally. A copy of your thesis will be sent to two independent examiners, one of whom is normally internal and the other of whom is external to the University of the Sunshine Coast.